Passive chip-based droplet sorting

US8969071B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignees

• Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC · US
• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Neil Reginald Beer · Pleasanton, US
• Abraham P. Lee · Irvine, US
• Andrew C. Hatch · Irvine, US
• Jeffrey S. Fisher · San Francisco, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 3, 2010
• Grant date: Mar 3, 2015
• Expiry date: Jan 2, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y10T137/0324
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An apparatus for passive sorting of microdroplets including a main flow channel, a flow stream of microdroplets in the main flow channel wherein the microdroplets have substantially the same diameter and wherein the flow stream of microdroplets includes first microdroplets having a first degree of stiffness and second microdroplets having a second degree of stiffness wherein the second degree of stiffness is different than the first degree of stiffness. A second flow channel is connected to the main flow channel for the second microdroplets having a second degree of stiffness. A separator separates the second microdroplets having a second degree of stiffness from the first microdroplets and directs the second microdroplets having a second degree of stiffness into the second flow channel.